IT MAY not be the great public holiday many had hoped for, but just because most of us will still have to work this St Andrew's Day does not mean we can't mark the occasion in style.
From Boston to Beijing, expats and Scotophiles the world over will be celebrating this Friday, and at home the day is set to be observed more widely than ever before - from conventional balls and dinners to some rather more unorthodox, not to say ecc
entric, events such as an attempt at the world's largest Dashing White Sergeant and "aqua ceilidhs" in swimming pools.
Despite the attempts by the Falkirk West Independent MSP Dennis Canavan to have the saint's day declared a full public holiday, last year the Scottish Parliament ultimately voted for a "voluntary public holiday", though employers and employees may have interestingly differing views as to exactly what that means.
So while Parliament - though failing to guarantee the rest of us the same privilege - is taking the day off (as is Angus Council), it remains unclear just how many firms or employees will be following their example on this holiday of non-obligation. According to the Scottish Chambers of Commerce, the answer is not a lot.
So, if you are one of those who have been denied the day off on Friday, you can at least take comfort in the fact you are not alone. Indeed for a fair few of us, work will actually revolve around the events taking place.
Actors, politicians, and musicians are just some of those who'll be working on St Andrew's Day, and here we've spoken to a few of them about what the occasion holds in store for them.
But even those of us who'll be working, there should still be time for most of us to have some fun either before or after work.
The least you can do is make sure you try some traditional Scots' fare. You could follow the example of some of the colleges which will be serving a "Porridge Breakfast" on Friday morning to international students. And while many a haggis will be consumed on the night, why not sink a right guid willy waught of cholesterol for the sake of auld Sanct Andra in the form of a pie? For Friday will also see the results of the World Scotch Pie Championships announced.
But there's a whole host of other events taking place, too. The Scottish Government has been busy encouraging celebrations, and earlier this year the First Minister, Alex Salmond, unveiled a programme of St Andrew's Day events across Scotland and a subsequent "Winter Festival", which will run from Friday, through Hogmanay, until that next great Caledonian fling, Burns Night, on 25 January.
We've asked Scottish notables what they'll be doing on Friday and also chosen some of the day's top events to give you a few ideas. So, go on, make it a day to remember.
Karen DunbarTHE comedian will be treading the boards:
"I'LL be celebrating on the stage at the King's Theatre in Glasgow with that great Scottish tradition, panto. It's the opening night of Sleeping Beauty - I play Nanny Begood - and I can't think of a more fun way to celebrate. I'm sure we'll make a wee nod to St Andrew's Day on stage, as I do think it's an important date. Having said that, though, I really don't think I know all that much about St Andrew."
Lorraine KellyTHE TV presenter will be blowing out her birthday candles:
"I WILL be definitely be celebrating on Friday as it's also my birthday on that day. When I was at school we used to get the day off, so it was always great to have a holiday on my birthday - I think we should bring that back!"
Linda FabianiMINISTER for Europe, External Affairs and Culture will be attending several St Andrew's day events around the country:
"THIS year there are hundreds of events to celebrate St Andrew's Day, both here in Scotland and overseas. It's fantastic to see the enthusiasm around our national day and all our communities celebrating Scotland's culture. There are ceilidhs the length and breadth of the country, schools are taking part in various ways, celebrating famous Scots, going on Tartan Walks and hosting their own Highland Games, to name but a few."
Charlie MillerHAIRDRESSER - will be having a quiet night in:
"I HAVEN'T celebrated St Andrew's Day since I was very young, but, with all the publicity surrounding it this year, I've been reminded of the place it once had in my heart.
I've been thinking about it very carefully, and I think that I'll have a vegetarian haggis supper this year but do something quite big next year.
I'm really glad that interest has been revived in St Andrew's Day, particularly because it makes us think about the source of the celebrations.
I love all the fun traditions, but St Andrew is a prominent Christian figure, and it's important that we don't forget the more serious reasons for celebrating the day."
Grant StottScotsport presenter, who will be in rehearsals:
"EVERY year at the end of November I'm always locked up in rehearsals for panto, and it's no different this year. It's dress rehearsal for Goldilocks and the Three Bears at the King's Theatre in Edinburgh, but I'm planning on taking a break with the cast and having haggis, neeps and tatties and a glass of Irn-Bru at dinner time. It's an important day, and I'd like to see it being celebrated in the way it deserves to be."
Wild Card KittyBURLESQUE performer who will be having a "quietly patriotic" night while preparing for her next show:
"I'VE got a big performance coming up in December, so I'll be at home to prepare. I'll be making my costume, which has a Little Red Riding Hood theme, and practising my new routine. I'll still find time for a little celebration, even if it's very small. I'll probably have haggis for one and a glass of Irn-Bru."
FIVE THINGS TO DO
TAKE TO THE FLOORPRINCES STREET GARDENS in Edinburgh will host an ongoing ceilidh and events, Friday until Sunday, including an attempt to dance the biggest ever Dashing White Sergeant. Glasgow gets its dancing pumps on, too, with the Shindig in the Square in George Square on Friday.
VISIT THE NEIGHBOURSONE of the biggest official events is the joint Doors Open Day, run by Historic Scotland, the National Trust for Scotland and Association of Visitor Attractions. On Friday we'll be able to enjoy free access to around 60 of Scotland's historic visitor attractions.
GET IN TUNE WITH THE NATIONIN FORT WILLIAM, the whole weekend is given over to traditional music with the Scots Trad Music Awards, ending with the "folk Oscars" - a gala concert at the Nevis Centre, compered by piper Stuart Cassells and singer and broadcaster Mary Ann Kennedy.
TAKE A HIKEIN ST ANDREWS itself, once the world's third most popular pilgrimage site, local school pupils will undertake a charity sponsored walk on Friday from Guardbridge, along the final four miles of the ancient pilgrimage route to the ruins of St Andrews Cathedral.
MAKE A SPLASH ONE of the most bizarre celebrations must be at Edinburgh's Royal Commonwealth, Drumbrae and Portobello swimming pools, which will lower their water depth for the city's first "aqua-ceilidhs" set to feature the "Splashing White Sergeant" and "Drip the Willow".
ALSO...
WEEKEND CEILIDH, ABERDEEN Aberdeen's weekend of events includes a St Andrew's night ceilidh on Friday, with a local ceilidh band in a marquee in Union Terrace Gardens. Other events include a Doric Cabaret Evening on Saturday.
• Tel: 01224 641122 or see www.aberdeencity.gov.uk
CULLODEN BATTLEFIELD The National Trust for Scotland is hosting Gaelic music and "living history" recreations at the Culloden battlefield site on Friday, plus a lecture from military historian Dr Christopher Duffy.
• www.nts.org.uk
ST ANDREW'S RACE DAY, MUSSELBURGH RACECOURSE Celebrate the saint on Friday with a flutter, plus whisky tasting, pipe band and dancing.
• See www.musselburgh-racecourse.co.uk
OUR SCOTLAND, EDINBURGH A dramatic showcase on Friday exploring past and present identity, and featuring music and dance as diverse as a Gaelic choir, samba band, bhangra break-dancers, Scottish/African fusion, Irish, polish and Yiddish music.
• Edinburgh International Conference Centre, 7:30pm. Tel: 0131-248 4848
THE SLAVES LAMENT, EDINBURGH Flagging up Scottish ideals of freedom by marking the bicentenary of the abolition of slavery. With soprano Gillian Keith, tenor Paul Agnew and the leading French fortepianist, Jérôme Hantaï, the evening features Burns songs and music from the Scottish Enlightenment.
• Greyfriars Kirk, Edinburgh, 7:30pm. Tel: 0131 473 2000.
